Art & Life with Justine Porges

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Porges.

Justine, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Years ago, I started off with refinishing and painting furniture because I didn’t have the money to buy the pieces I liked in stores. So I found old pieces of furniture and made my own pieces inspired by the store’s versions. Friends and family then asked me to make them some furniture and a little business started. I also began painting children’s artwork and furniture and sold at art shows for a while. I have always loved interior design and found my creativity had an outlet in that as well. I did not take any art classes but creativity seems to run in my family. My sister is creative and painted when she was younger and I later found out that my birth mother has always been an artist.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Over the last few years, I have been drawn to painting abstract art pieces. When I painted furniture and other art, I realized that although not really a technically proficient painter, I was good at, and loved playing with color combinations. I realized that I had an eye for color and I loved interior design so I was drawn to art that could make a statement in a room. I enjoyed going to galleries and I noticed that abstract pieces really drew me in and that I actually had viscerally emotional reactions to many abstract pieces. That inspiration drew me to start painting again.

Color inspires me and gets me painting but I never really know what it’s going to look like at the end. One thing that I love about painting this way is the freedom to make “mistakes”.

I have noticed that some of the biggest “mistakes” in my paintings end up being the best part of the painting once I let go of the idea that it is a “mistake” and work with it instead.

I think that my art is a metaphor for life in this way because it’s the layers underneath, like the layers of life experiences we’ve had, that build the foundation for our growth and working with what seems like mistakes that make the art interesting and multidimensional.

How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
Because I do not rely on making a living from selling my art, my definition of success as an artist is probably different than those that are creating art and attempting to live off of it. I would love to have more time to create and sell my art and make it more of a business, but for now, I do it mostly for pleasure and am building up a collection to share with others more formally.

I feel successful when I stick with a painting and when I let it unfold the way it wants to, and not try to control the outcome of it, Also, when I keep returning to painting despite the typical doubts about my abilities. I also feel successful when I feel moved and inspired when I’m painting and when someone sees my art and it makes them smile or when it inspires curiosity in them. I’ve had many people reach out to me through social media and when I have displayed my artwork and they have express interest in my artwork and that is a great feeling. Painting is in my soul and brings me joy and an outlet to create with and that in itself is a success.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Right now, you can find my artwork on Instagram. I haven’t displayed locally since moving to Tucson last year because I work full time as a coach and therapist. I do plan on putting more time into making my art available in Tucson and the Phoenix area. I will also likely be heading to Boulder CO for a visit with some of my art soon. My artwork was displayed at West Elm and another store in Boulder as well as sold to local Boulderites and some have asked me to bring my art back up that way. I hope to create a similar relationship with stores and local people in Tucson to bring my artwork out into the community.

Contact Info:

• Email: justineblytheporges@gmail.com
• Instagram: justineporges
• Facebook: Justine Blythe Creations

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